Grundy back, keen to play on

SWANS defender Heath Grundy will return to football from a break for mentalhealth issues this weekend and is keen to play on into 2019.

Grundy has taken a fortnight’s break from the game to deal with his issues, but will train for the second time this week tonight with a view to returning at NEAFL or senior level.

His manager Phil Mullen said yesterday he and Jarrad McVeigh remained keen to play on next year, with Alex Johnson’s latest cruel injury setback potentially helping Grundy’s cause. The Swans’ are confident of re-signing brilliant half-back Jake Lloyd, their position strengthened by Gold Coast’s waning interest in a player who finished second in last year’s Swans best-and-fairest award.

Gold Coast has persistently been linked to Lloyd, but the Suns told Sydney recruiting and list boss Kinnear Beatson recently they had not offered Lloyd a contract and were unlikely to do so. They are keen to secure established players but felt it was unlikely Lloyd would move, with Sydney football boss Tom Harley saying recently the club was confident it would sign the 24-year-old.

Grundy had played 16 games this year as a reliable full-back before his mental health issues and at 32 remains keen to play on next year.

“Things have improved and he is on the training track. He is keen to go on,” Mullins said.